Method of manufacturing blanks of articles of felt and automatic machine therefor



CASSE 5.Sheets-Sheet 1 AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE THEREFOR w m WW fi /A o N a N E N WNW \E IN h w i N m l NN May 17, 1960 METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS OF ARTICLES OF FELT Filed May a, 1955 May 17, 1960 2,936,512

M. CASSE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS OF ARTICLES OF FELT AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1955 May 17, 1960 M. CASSE 2,936,512

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS OF ARTICLES OF FELT Filed May 3, 1955 AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 17, 1960 M. cAssE 2,936,512

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS OF ARTICLES 0F FELT AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE THEREFOR Filed May 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 17, 1960 M. CASSE 2,936,512

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS 0F Ag'r gws OF FELT Filed May 5, 1955 AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE THE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 8N NQ NE NNN limited States Patent METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BLANKS OF ARTICLES 0F FELT AND AUTOMATIC MA- CHINE THEREFOR The present invention relates to the manufacture of blanks of fibresfor felt articles and more particularly to the production of hat blanks or bodies of fur or hair 2nd blanks of other articles of fibre, for example glass bre.

For ease of description, reference will be had hereinafter only to fibres in the manufacture of the articles, but it must be understood that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the use of fibres, since it is clear that hair or fur may be used instead of the latter.

Conventional methods ofmanufacturing hat bodies and other blanks comprise afirst or forming operation followed by a second or hardening operation.

The forming consists in depositing the fibres, fur, hair or the like on a perforated support or hat form whose shape corresponds to that of the blank to obtain and through which is drawn a current of air. The fibres once deposited on the form, are sprayed with hot water. The blank obtained is very fragile, for the fibres merely adhere together owing to the action of the hot water. They have not yet been subjected to any felting operation.

A first felting is usually not effected until during the following operation, namely the hardening, which starts the agglomeration and interlacing of the fibres forming the felt cloth. The hardening is considered completed when each fibre is engaged at both ends in the mass of other fibres and that this mass of fibres has such cohesion as to allow its manipulation and to be capable of undergoing without tearing the subsequent felting operations.

Hardening is always a very delicate operation, since it is carried out after the blank has been removed from its perforated forming support, this blank being held flat between rolls which subject it to a relatively rough treatment. This hardening can only be carried out by very skilled operators.

Further, as concerns the material, the two consecutive operations of forming and hardening require two machines: a forming machine and a hardening machine.

The forming machines of known type are operated by two operators; one of the operators weighs the fibres and spreads them over a feed belt, the other efiects several operations comprising opening the doors of the forming vessel or vat, spraying, removing and inverting the perforated support, and positioning the second support. some of these operations require fairly considerable physical effort.

The spraying device is usually disposed inside the forming vessel, with consequent disadvantages. This device is a hindrance inside the vessel and the moisture introduced in the latter and the moisture on the device itself results in a loss of fibres and formation of defects in the hat bodies or other blanks.

The two doors usually supplied in the vessel only occupy about one third of the wall of the vessel. The opening they provide is hardly suflicient for handling the hat former cones or other perforated supports, this handling being, furthermore, rendered difiicult even outside the machine by the presence of the open doors.

2,9365% Patented May 17, 1960 Finally, the manual handling of the doors, the cones or other perforated supports, the removal of the formed blank from the perforated supports, the operation of the spraying valves, are simple but troublesome requirements.

Automatic forming machines have been proposed but generally they comprise very complicateddelicate and incomplete mechanisms.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy the various disadvantages of known methods and machines.

Aprincipal object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres and in particular hat bodies or .blanks of fur, hair of fibres in which the forming operation, i.e., the deposit of the fibres on a perforated hat former, and the hardening operation, i.e. the felting of these fibres, are carried out simultaneously.

The combination of the forming and hardening operations permits eliminatingthe usual very delicate hardening operation following the forming operation thus affordingan economy in very skilled manpower usually necessary for this hardening operation-or at least considerably reducing this hardening operation, if it must be retained, and carrying it out without harming the blank, which is already more firm owing to the hardening operation effected during the forming operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forming machine permitting application ofthe above-mentioned method.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forming machine whose openable forming vessel or vat is so arranged as to permit obtaining a very large opening which considerably facilitates the introduction and removal of the cones or other perforated supports.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forming machine in which the spraying device can be movedaway from the forming vessel so that it does not moisten the interior thereof outsidethe spraying periods, does not hinder the forming operation and does not retain the hair, fur or other fibres.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forming machine which permits a very rapid replacement of the perforated support which has just received a blank by another support for the following forming operation.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description with reference to the accompanying drawings given merely by way of example and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational and partially sectional view of a forming machine embodying the invention, more particularly provided for the forming and. hardening of hat blanks or bodies;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, partially in section;

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view of two switches and their operating member connected to the support, these switches being provided for the perforated forming cones and the driving motors adapted slowly to rotate said cones when they are inside the vessel;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of the machine on an enlarged scale relative to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the support for the spraying device in its withdrawn position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 66 of Fig. 2 of the device supplying hot water to the spraying device;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 7--7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale relative to that of Fig. 1 of the device supplying hairs, fur or fibres;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the electrical connections;

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the switchbox for the motor adapted slowly to rotate one of the perforated cones, and

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the switchbox for one of the other motors.

This machine is more particularly intended for the manufacture of hat bodiesand in order to render the description more clear reference will be had in the ,ensuing description only to hat bodies and perforated cones, However, it must be understood that this machine is equally applicable to the production of objects' of any other form provided that the perforated cones are re,- placed by perforated supports having a form correspond in'gto that of the objects to be obtained.

This machine comprises, disposed on a fixed stand A, a forming station Ifalid, a station II for. receiving the hat bodies at which station each formed hat body is' eparated from the perforated cone on Which-it was forme Fixed on the stand A is a movable support B adapted to support two perforated formin'g cones' l and 1?. and bring them in succession and alternately' to the st'ationl and to the station II, the cone, such as the cone 1',si'tfu-' ated at the station I being upright, its base ibeing r wer most, whereas at the station II the cone 1 is inverted. The support B is moved by a mechanism Cg I On the support B, each cone 1 orl is combined with a driving mechanism such as D which is' adap'ted toim-f part to this cone, firstly, a slow rotary movement about its axis and, secondly, a rapid vibratory movement (ha v ing a frequency betweenl,000 and 3,000 vibrations per minute and an amplitude of the order of l mm) the latter being adapted to effect all or part of the hardening operation. I

Provided at the station I is a fan E adapted to produce a down draft of air inside an openable forming vessel or vat F. This vessel F is combinedwith a spraying deviee G which is capable of occupying two positions, in one of which-it is disposed outside the vesselj and in theother it is disposed at G (Fig. 1) in an operativespraying position inside the vessel. The vessel E is also combined with a feed device H supplying fur, hair or other fibres.

The various above-described devices are actuated by a number of electric motors connected to various control devices forming the electro-mechanical equipment I shown in Fig, 9.

The machine operates in the following manner: p

With the cone 1 in position, the feed device H pours fibres into the vessel F when the latter is in its closed state and, under the'action of the current of air travel ling in the direction of arrows f produced by the E, the fibres are deposited in a layer on the cone 1. I The mechanism D imparts to the latter, firstly, aslo w rotary movement which permits an even distribution of the fibres over the entire surface of the cone, and, secondly, a high-frequency vibratory movement of small amplitude which effects the hardening operation.

When the work 0 has been fully deposited on the cone 1, the vessel F is opened and the spraying device G, which occupies the operative position G sprays the work 0 with hot water. Thereafter, the support B substitutes the cone 1 for the cone 1, the cone I being placed at station I, whereas the cone 1 provided with the hat body 0 takes up an inverted position as station II, Where the body becomes detached from the cone, under the effect of the continued vibrations, and is received on a horizontal table supported by the stand'A.

A detailed description will now be given of the devices A to I of the machine illustrated in the drawings.

(a) Stand A (Figs. 2, 3 W1 4 This stand comprises a frame reinforcedby a number of cross-members ,4., It carries a number of uprights,

assess-s (b) Movable support B for the cones 1, 1

The two uprights 6 (Figs. 1 and 4) braced by a crossmember 8, carry a tubular column 9 which has a vertical axis TI and is rigidly secured to this cross-member 8. Fixed at the upper end of the column 9 and coaxial therewith is a bevel gear 10. V This fixed bevel gear 10 meshes with twobevel gears o'r'pinions I 1 and 1 1 rotatably. mounted on a horizontal shaft 12 having an axis UU (Fig. 2). This shaft is carried by a sleeve 13 fixed to the upperend of a vertical shaft 14 which is capable of being rotated about the axis TT through about by the mechanism C. Keyed t'o an extension from each of the two gears Hand 11 is a rigid arm 15 or 15 on which is fixed a flat-shaped housing 16' or 16 which forms the support for the, cone 1 or 1.

The support unit comprising the members 16, 15, 12, 15 and 16 is substantially in the form of a Z, the two housings 16 and 16 being transversely offset and slightly oblique relative to one another. This support is capable of pivoting, firstly, about the vertical axis TI of the column 9, and, secondly, about thehorizontal axis UU of the shaft 12. p a

The rotation through about 90 of the shaft 14 about the vertical axis TT dueto the fact that the gears 11 and 11 mesh with the fixed bevel gear 10, is accompanied by a rotation through slightly less than of the arms 15 and 15 about the horizontal axis UU. This ensures the passage of the cones 1 and 1 from the station I to the station II and vice versa." The mechanism C rotates the shaft 14.

(c) Mechanism C (Figs. 1, 2 drid 4) jv lieyed at to the vertical shaft 14 adjacent the lower end thereof is a crank 18 on which is pivotably mounted,

by means ofa vertical pin 19, a cranked connecting rod 26, ,This connecting rod is pivoted at its other .end to the crank-pin 21,0f a crank-disc 22 which is rigid with a vertical shaft 23 journalled in a housing 24 attached to the stand A. Keyed to this shaft 23 is a worm wheel 2 meshing with a horizontal worm gear 26 whose shaft is connected, by a pulley 27, a belt 28 and another pulley 29, to the shaft 3( of an electric motor M Each cone l or 1', when it is at the forming station I (whereit is brought by the device B driven by the mecl ianism C just described), is subjected to a' slow rotary movement about its axis and a rapid vibratory movement by the mechanism D which will now be described.

(d Driving mechanism D for" the cone, 1' or 1?, (it

' station I (Figs. 1, 2 and 4,)

Fixed to the upper face of the fiat housing 1 6 is a ring 31 disposed between a pulley 32 and a ring 33 which are fixed together and bear against opposite sides of the ring 31 through the medium of balls or rollers 34 and 35. p The pulley 32 comp-rises a hub '36 connected to the rim of the pulley by a number of radial arms 37. This pulley may be rotated slowly, for example one rotation per minute, by a motor M through the medium of a speedreducer 38 (Fig. 1),'a;pulley 39 and twin belts 40 (Fig. 4') engaged in grooves formed in the pulley 32.

Qn the ring 33, fixed with respect to the pulley '32, is fixed,'thr0ugh the medium of a sealing collar or cylinder 41 of rubber or the like, a fiat-ring42 o'n which is disposed the corresponding perforatedjcone, 1 orll' ."For the purpose of rotating the ring-42 and-the cone )1 by means of the. pulley -32, connections are "provided 1 between the ring 42 and the radial arms 37 of thes'pul'ley32, these conuections being such that while imparting a rotary movement about the-vertical axis VVto'thev cone, the latter is, also capable of undergoing rapid vibratory movements 1 of small amplitude. The connections are achieved by a number of short connecting pins 43. One of the ends of each'pinis connected to one ofthe' radial arrns' 37' by means of an 'yieldable couplingtcomprising as-'known per se, a combination of a sleeve 44 (Fig. 4) of rubber orthe like which is subjected to radial compression between two concentric tubes 45 and 46. One of these tubes is rigid with the pin 43 and the other with the radial arm 47. The upper end of each pin 43 is fixed in similar manner to the ring 42.

This ring 42 and the cone 1 which it supports may be subjected to vibratory movements by the following device.

Several connecting rods 47, radially disposed relative to the axis VV, connect the ring 42 to a centre bearing box 48, the two ends of each .connecting rod being pivoted to the ring 42 and the box 48 by means of vertical pins 49 and 50 with interposition of elastic bushings having rubber elements. The box 48 contains the outer ring 51 of a ball or roller bearing 52, the inner ring 53 of which is mounted on an eccentric journal 54 which has an axis WW parallel to the axis W and constitutes a crank-pin at the end of ashaft 55.

This shaft 55, which is provided with a counterbalance 56 is journalled by means of two anti-friction bearings 57 and 58 in a box 59 rigid with the hub 36 of the pulley 32. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 55 below the box 59 is a pulley 60 which is connected by a belt 61 to another pulley 62 (Fig. 2) keyed to the shaft of an electric motor M The latter therefore imparts, through the medium of the crank-pin 54 and the connecting rods 47, a rapid vibratory movement to the ring 42 and to the perforated cone 1, this movement being possible, notwithstanding the connection of the ring 42 to the pulley 32, owing to the yieldable connections between the pins 43, the collar 41 and the pulley 32.

The amplitude of the vibrations is equal to twice the value of the throw e of the axis WW relative to the axis VV, and as this throw is of the order of 0.5 mm., the amplitude of the vibrations is in consequence of the order of 1 mm. 1

The mechanism D is completed by a dome-shaped cover 63 which covers the central part of the mechanism and includes openings, such as shown at 64, for the free passage of the connecting rods 47 and the belt 61. Resting on the cover 63, through the medium of a number of uprights 65, is a circular convex plate 66, situated substantially,

midway of the top and bottom of the perforated cone 1.

At the station I the housing 16 containing the mechanism D rests, through the medium of a rubber sheet 67, on an upper horizontal flange 68 forming part of the fan E.

(e) Fan E The flange 68 forms part of a member 69 connected by arms or webs '70 to a cylindrical tube 71. Attached to a horizontal plate 72 of this tube 71 is a housing 73 which supports, through the medium of two anti-friction bearings 74 and 75, a vertical shaft 76. This shaft carries at its upper end an axial fan wheel 77 whose blades 78 extend into the annular space provided above the tube 71 and between the latter and the annular member 69.

The lower end of the shaft 76 carries a pulley 79 which is connected by belts 80 to a pulley 81 keyed to the shaft of a motor M. A discharge scroll or pipe 82 surrounds the tube '71 and comprises an outlet 83. This discharge pipe and the tube are fixed to the stand A.

The air drawn in by the fan E attains the forming station 1 through the upper opening of the vessel F, which will be described below. Thereafter, it traverses the cone 1 in the direction of arrows f enters the annular space between the flange 68 and a solid plate 84, fixed above the central part of the fan, .and is then pumped through the pipe 82 whence it is discharged to the atmosphere through the outlet 83.

(f) Forming vessel F (Figs. 1 and 2) relationship, an upper downwardly flared conical portion, a long upwardly flared conical portion, a short upwardly flared conical portion having an apex angle greater than that of the last-mentioned portion, and a lower cylindrical portion. This vessel is composed of two half-shells 8 5 and 86 every horizontal section of which is substantially semi-annular in shape. Each of these half-shells comprises a strong sheet of metal reinforced by a number of arcuate straps, such as those shown at 87 and 88, and two flat members 90 and 91 extending along the two longitudinal edges. i

In the closed position of the vessel, the two half-shells 85, 86 almost touch one another along the members 90 and 91 which are very near to one another in the vertical median plane XX (Fig. 2).; Each of these half-shells is heated exteriorly by a nest of tubes 92.

The two half-shells are pivotably mounted on, a shaft 94, having a vertical axis XX, by means of a lower plate v forming station I from the left side of the latter as seen in Fig. 2.

Pivotably mounted on the two lower plates 95 pertaining to the two half-shells, by means of vertical journals 100, are two telescopic connecting rods each of which comprises two elements 101 and 102 which a spring 103 tends to urge apart axially, thereby increasing the length of the connecting rod. Each of the latter is pivoted to.

one of two crank-pins 104 of a crank shaft 105. The shaft 105 is rotated by a motor M through the medium of a pulley 106, a belt 107, a second pulley 108 and a reducing mechanism including a worm gear 109 and a worm wheel 110 which is keyed to the shaft 105.

The crank-pins 104 on which the connecting rods are shown in full line in Fig. 2). or when they are separated to the maximum extent (position shown in dotdash line 85, 86 in Fig. 2).

Owing to the telescopic construction of the two connecting rods, the latter form a safety device. If, for example, the operator in charge of the machine fails to remove his arm from between the two half-shells when the latter are closing, the springs 103 become compressed and absorb the force which would otherwise have been:

applied to his arm.

The shaft 105 is also adapted to control the spraying device G.

g. Spraying device G The spraying device comprises (Figs. 1,, 2 and 5) a tubular arm 111 which is cranked adjacent its lower end at 112 (Fig. 7) and has a horizontal extension 113 which is journalled in a bore 114 formed in a body 115 which is connected by a support 116 to a cross-member 117 (Fig. 1). connected to two of the uprights 7'of the stand.

The arm is, furthermore, pivoted by a journal 118 (Fig. 7) to a bearing 119 connected to the member 115.

Connected to the arm 111 is the spray diffuser comprising a channel 120 (Figs. 1 and 5) which has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is closed along its. side esame facing the station I by a plate 121 in which are formed several small apertures 122 for the outlet of hot water.

This spraying" device G is capable of occupying twopositions hy pii/otihgabout the axis ZZ of the journal" 118' and bearing 114', namely: an inoperative position illusc'arriedby alev er 125. The latter is pivoted to one of theends of a connectingrod' 126 (Figs. 1 and the other end of this rod being pivoted at 127 to a crank 128 rigidly secured to the arm- 1 11 of the spraying device G.

The latter is supplied with hot water by a distributing device controlled by an electric motor M (Figs. 1' and 2). The latter dfives, through a pulley 129, a belt 130 and another; pulley 131 (Fig. 6), a shaft 132 to which is keyed, inside a housing 133, a worm gear 134-. The latter drives, through the medium of a worm wheel 135, a horizontal shaft 136. This shaft carries, outside the housing 133', a cam- 136 against which a spring 138 urges a roller 139 whose spindle 140 is carried by a lever 141. The latter is pivotably mounted on a fixed pin 142. Pivotably mounted on pins 143 and 144, disposedon either side of the pin 142", are two rods 145 and 146. The latter extend throughtwo packin'g's 147 and 1 48 into a v alve box'149 connected to the member 115.

The tube 113 communicates with a central chamber 150 in the valve box 149 through the conical portion 151 (Fig. 7) This chamber 150 communicates, firstly, with a connection 152 (Figs. 1 and 6) connected to a hot water supply pipe, the communication being controlled by an inlet valve 153,- and, secondly, with an outlet or exhaust connection 154 connected with a drain or reservoir, the communication being controlled by a drain valve 155.

The rods 145 and 146 are disposed respectively below the inlet valve 153 and the draining valve 155. The length of these rods is such that when the lever 141 is horizontal, the two valves 153 and 155 rest on their respective seating s under the effect of gravity, and when this lever 141 is pivoted by the cam 137 in the direction of arrow f (Fig. 6) the inlet valve 153 is raised by the rod 145 whereas the draining valve 155 remains closed, and vice versa. (h) Fe ed device H for hair, fur or fibres (Figs. 1 and 8) This device, which is disposed at the upper part of the forming device and is carried by uprights 7, comprises an inclined trough 156 which receives the amount of hair, fur or fibres corresponding to a hat body to be manufactured. Disposed at the lower end of this trough 156 are two feed rolls 157. The latter are rotated by an electric motor M through grooved pulleys 158, 159 connected by a belt 160 and a speed reducer 161, the driven shaft of the latter being keyed to one of the rolls 157. The different diameters of the grooves of the pulleys 158 and 159 permit varying the speed of the rolls 157 and the forming period in accordance with the supply of fur, hair, orfibres.

The reducing gear train 162 is driven by one of the rolls 157 and drives ashaft 163 adapted to control the power supply to the motor M, as willbe explained hereinunder. t V I Disposed on the output side of the feed rolls 157 is a normal picker 164 the points of which are adapted to disperse the hair, fur or fibres. A brush 165 receives the. latter and in turn projects them into a passageway 166. This passageway extends into the upper part of the vessel, F through a notch 167' formed in each halfshell and the bottom of this passageway is provided with an adjdstable" extension 168 by means of which it is pgssi ble' to poor the hair, fur or fibres in the direction; of ar'-" row (Fig. 1) substantially in alignment with the axis- VV of the vessel.

A motor M (Fig. 1) drives the picker 164 and the brush 165 through two belts 16 9 and 170.

(i) The electric motors, the control devices and their power supply (see in particular Figs. 9 and It will be recalled that the machine is provided with ten motors. Further, for the purpose or illustration" 7 these motors are assumed to be three-phase motors.

' machine is connected by a main switch 172 to the three; phase conductors 173' to which the various jr'notors" are" The supply line 171 for the electrical equipment of the connected in parallel. These motors'are divided into three groups. 1

brating the cones 1, 1*, M driving the fan and M driv ing' the" pickcr 164 and the brush these motors are directly connected to the conductor 173 and continuous- 1y rotate as soon as the switch 172 is closed.

The second group of motors comprises the motors M M adapted slowly to rotate the cones 1 and 1 The power supply to these motors is controlled by two switch bo'Xes N and N, the latter being under the control of two operating push butons m? and m the unit comprising N and m is shown by way of example in Fig. 10, the unit corresponding to the motor M being identical. Fig. 10 shows at 174 the three conductors adapted to connect with the conductors 173 controlled by the main switch 172. These conductors 174 are connected to three terminals 175,176 and 1 77 which may be connectedrespectively by blades 178, 179- and 189 to three terminals 181, 182 and 183 which are connected by the conductors 184'to the terminals of the motor. The three blades 178, 179 and are connected by a connection 185 having a control blade 136 which is pivoted at 137 and co-operates with an electromagnet comprising an armature 138 and a cell 189. The latter is closed on the terminals 175, 176 on one of the phases of the supply current by the conductors and 191 leading to the two terminals 193 and 194 of the switch box. These two terminals are connected by two conductors 195, 196 to the two studs 197, 198 of a switch m comprising a start push button normally held separated from the two studs by a spring 199. This push button is moved in the direction to close the circuit bythe portion 200 of a double cam 2002t tl* (Figs. 1, 2 and 9); the portion 206 pertains to the switch m of the motor M This cam is fixed to the lower end of the pivotable shaft 14 of the movable support B.

As this support is rotated by the mechanism C through 90 and as the two cams 230 and 260* are diametrically opposed, it is suflicient that the two switches m and m be disposed on two radii angularly spaced 90 apart relative to the axis of the shaft 14 to obtain that each of these switches, m or m be closed by the correspending cam, 200 or 206, when the corresponding cone, 1 or 1*, is at the forming station I and opened supply to the corresponding motor M or M V The third group of motors comprises the followiiigi motor M driving the feed rolls 157, motor M controlling the opening and closing of the half-shells and the position of the spraying device G, motor M? controlling the supply of the spraying water, and meter M However, at both stations the controlling the mechanism C adapted to interchange the cones by moving their support B.

These motors are combined with switch boxes N N N and N respectively, each of which is provided, as will be explained hereinunder, with at least one start push button and a stop push button. These buttons are combined with cams driven by shafts which are themselves driven by the above-mentioned motors, so that each motorstops itself and simultaneously starts up the following motor in the order indicated above, i.e., M", M (opening of the vessel), M and M the motor M ensuring, at the same time as its own stoppage, the starting up of the motor M for closing the vessel, this motor ensuring, when it stops itself a second time, the starting up of the motor M so that the operational cycles, which commence with supply of power to this motor M", may continue without interruption so long as the switch 172 remains closed.

Before describing in detail the various connections which permit obtaining the continuous operation mentioned above, reference will be had to Fig. 11 which shows one of the switch boxes of oneof the motors of the third group, for example, the switch box N pertaining to the motor M i i This switch box N is very similar to the switch box N described above. It comprises all the elements of the switch box N and notably the start switch m having a push button. Itfurther comprises a third output terminal 201, the terminals 201 and 193 being connected by conductors 202 and 203 to the studs 204 and 205 of a stop switch a which is normally closed by a spring device. One of the ends of the coil 189 is connected in parallel with the terminal 194 directly and with the terminal 201 through an auxiliary switch having a blade 206 which is actuated at the same time as the blades 178-180 of the main switch.

This switch box with its two switches m and a is of the known type and it has only been illustrated for the purpose of descriptiom Its operation is simple; by pushing the start button the electromagnet 188, 189 is temporarily energized and attracts all the blades, which results in closure of the motor circuit and the circuit of the coil 189 through the circuit 175, 193, 202, the studs 204 and 205 of the normally closed stop switch a the terminal 201, the closed auxiliary switch 206, the coil 189 and the terminal 176.

, The main switches, having blades 178 to 180, and the auxiliary switches 206 remain closed until the abovementioned control circuit is opened by depressing the stop button of the switch a With reference to Fig. 9, the motor M comprises a stop switch a which has a push button and is connected, as mentioned above, to the switch box N", and two start switches m and 11 connected in parallel. The switch n is, in the illustrated embodiment, a hand operated start switch. In a forming machine automatically combined with a fibre weighing device it could be controlled or actuated by the motor for the latter so as to be automatically closed as soon as' the weighing device has supplied the trough 156 with the required weight of fibre for forming a hat body. The other switch. m is controlled or actuated by the motor M With respect to the latter, it comprises a start switch m controlled by the motor M and a stop switch a which is directly controlled by the motor M The motor M comprises a start switch m controlled by the motor M and a stop switch a which is directly.

controlled by the motor M The motor M comprises a start switch m controlled by the motor- M and a stop switch a directly controlled by themotor M Further, an auxiliary start switch n for the motorM is controlled by the motor M The various controls mentioned above are arranged in and 2) as explained above.

The speed reducing train 162 is so arranged that the shaft 163 effects one rotation for each operational cycle and the bosses 208 and 210 are so disposed that the boss 210 closes the switch m as soon as the boss 208 opens the switch a". The shaft 163 rotates in the direction of arrow i (Fig. 9); the cams are therefore shown at the start of a feed cycle. a

The motor M for opening the two half-shells and 86 of the vessel F acts on these shells and on the spraying device G through the medium of a shaft (Figs. 1 Keyed to this shaft 105 are four cams: cam 211 having one boss 212, cam 213 having two bosses 214 and 21 5, cam 216 having a single boss 217, and cam 218 having a single boss 219. For reasons of clarity in Fig. 1, the two cams 213 and 216 have been showncoincident, the boss 217 being combined with the cam 213. The shaft 105 is such that it effects one rotation in the course of one operational cycle of the machine, i.e. half a rotation for opening the half-shells and half a rotation for closing the latter. The cam 211 having a single boss 212 co-operates with the start switch m for the motor M controlling the spraying. The cam 213 having two bosses 214 and215 controls the stop switch a of the motor M The cam 216, or at least the boss 217, controls the start switch m for the motor M",

212 at the moment when the boss 214 of the cam 213.

stops the motor M in the position corresponding to the open position of the half-shells. Further, the arrangement of these bosses is such that the boss 217 closes the start switch m for the motor M at the moment when the boss 215 causes stoppage of the motor M the vessel F being closed.

The shaft 105 rotates in the direction of arrow f and.

effects one rotation per operational cycle.

The motor M the starting of which is controlled by the switch m controlled by the motor M drives the shaft 136 through one rotation in the direction of arrow i for each operational cycle. The cam 137 which actuates, by means of the lever 141, the valves 153 and 155 relating to the inlet and outlet of the hot spraying water, is mounted on this shaft 136. It will be observed that the switches a m and m are shown in Fig. 1. Keyed to the same shaft 136 is a first cam 220 having a boss 221 adapted to actuate the stop switch a for the motor M and a second cam 222 having a boss 223 adapted to actuate the start switch m for the motor M which is adapted sha e 51 2 A supply of fibres necessary for producing the work isplaced in the trough 1 56 on the input side of the feed rolls 157. As soon as the switch 172 isclosed, the conductors 173 carry current and the four motors of the first group: M and M which maintain the vibrations of the cones ll, 1*, M driving thefan E, and M driving the picker 164 and the brush 165, are supplied with the current and rotate. They rotate throughout the successive operational cycles of the machine until the switch 372 is opened.

With regard to the motors M and M of the secondgroup adapted slowly to rotate the cones. 1 and 1*, it will be recalled that they are supplied with power only when the switch m or 151 is closed by the earn 201! or 200 at the moment when the corresponding cone is at station I for the forming operation.

With respect to the third group of motors which are ihterconnected by the above-described set of switches and cams, the machine may either be in a position corre sponding to the beginning of an operational cycle or it may have been stopped in any other position. 7

The former case will be examined first. It will be assumed that the machine has been stopped at the end of an operational cycle, shown, in Fig. 9, in which the switch 11 and the automatic starting switch m are open, both of which pertain to the motor M'ldriving the feed device. This motor and the motors M M M are all inoperative.

- To start up a cycle of operations it sufiices to depress the hand switch 11 which energizes the electromagnet'189' the switch box n and the motor M is supplied with power and will continue to besupplied with power until this motor, through the medium of the cam 207, opens its own stop switch a. The motor M' drives the feed rolls 157 and the latter feed the fibres, previously deposited in thet'rough 156 towards the picker 164. The fibrespass between these feed rolls, are combed by the picker 164 andare projected by the brush 165 into the forming vessel F,- the half-shells 85, 86 being in their closed positions.

in their open position and the spraying device remains in.

its operative position G Thecam' 212 then closes the start switch m of the motor I M? which, through the cam 137, causes, initially, the

The motor M of the fan drives the latter continuously and air is drawn through the upper part of the vessel F in the direction of arrow f and expelled through the outlet'83. The fibres, entrained by this current of air are deposited on the cone 1 and form the work 0. As the switch in is closed, the motor M operates and imparts to the cone a slow rotary movement, and the motor M continuously supplied with power, imparts rapid vibratory movements of small amplitude to this cone.

As mentioned above, the slow rotation of the cone 1 ensures a perfect distribution of the fibres over the entire periphery of this cone and the rapid vibrations effect the hardeningoperation or at least the initial part of this operation. I

The motor M driving the feed rolls drives, through the shaft 163, the two cams 207 and 209, and when this shaft has effected one rotation corresponding to the passage of the entire supply. of fibres between the feed rolls, the boss 208 of the cam 207 opens the switch a and stops the motor M and the boss 210 of the cam 209 closes the switch in of the motor M- and starts up the latter.

This causes, through the medium of the telescopic connecting rods, the opening of the vessel F, the two halfshells of which assume positions 85a and 86a (Fig. 2), whereas, through the medium of the cam 123 fixed to the shaft 165 thespraying device G is brought to position G above the cone 1.

lyleanwhile, as a result of a half rotation of the shaft 105 necessary for the opening of the vessel F and the positioning of the spraying device at position G the boss 215 of the cam 213 causes theopening of the switch r1 and temporarily stops the motor M The half-shells remain raisingof theinlet valve 153 (Fig; 6) permitting the ad mlSSlQl'l of hot water through the connection 152, the

chamber 150 and the pipes 151 and 113 (Fig. 7), the water attaining the arm 111 and the perforated spray difiuser 120; After the desired'amount of spraying, the duration of whichis' governed by the shape of the cam 137 (Fig. l), the valve 153 is closed and the exhaust" valve'1'55 opened, permittingthe evacuation of the water contained in the arm 111, the pipes 113 and 1 51 and the chamber 150.

In the course of the operation of these valves, the shaft 36 of the cam 137 also drives the two cams 220 and 222 and after the shaft 136 has efiected one rotation in the direction of arrow f, the boss 221 of the cam 220 opens the switch a which stops the motor M pertainr ing to the water supply, and the boss 223 of the cam 222 closesthe switch m of the motor M adapted to change the (zones. 7 v r The motor M thus started up, rotatesthrough the medium of the crank-disk 22, the connecting rod 20 and the crank 18-the shaft 14 of the movable support B, which changes the'positions of the cones 1 and'la. The

cone l'supporting the work 0 is positioned above the table 2 replacing the cone 1a (Fig. 1) and the latter takes up its" position at station I inside the vessel F which is still in its open position.

It will be observedthat after the'cone's have changed position owing to the continuous supply ofpowe'r' to the motors M and M the cone which takes up position 1a and still supports the work 0 continues to;"vibr'ate' and the vibrations, which at station I had ensured the hardening operation now, at station II, serve to losen the work 0 from the surface of the cone, this work falling without harmful efiect onto the table 2.

In the course of changing the cones, the shaft 23 of fects half a rotation in the direction of arrow 1 and after this half rotation the boss 226 opens the switch a which stops the motor M and the same boss 226 of the earn 224 closes the switch 11 which starts up themotor M controlling the half-shells. r I V t This motor M first shifts the spraying device from the operative position G into the inoperativeposition G and then moves thetwo half-shells into their closed position. Meanwhile the shaft driven bythis motor ef-" fects a further half rotation which brings thisshaft into the initial position shown in Fig. 9 in which the boss 214, in encountering the switch a stops the motor M and the boss 217 of the cam 216 temporarily closes the switch m' 'of the motor M thus automatically commencing the following cycle of operations, provided the switch 172 is closed. The different cams actuating the switches and the latter are then in the positions shown in Fig. 9.

- A further cycle of operations immediately follows the preceding one and permits forming a further hat body on the cone 1a which has taken up the position of the cone 1 in the vessel F, provided that in the course of the preceding operational cycle the trough 156 had been supplied with a further supply of fibres."

If, by chance, the machine is stopped in the course of an operational cycle by opening the switch 172, all the parts'remain in their respective positions and when the switch is once more closed the machine starts up, as at the beginning of an operational cycle, by the closure of the switch n", an incomplete operational cycle being ef" fected followed by a normal cycle.

As can be seen,- the operation of the machine itself is tirely automatic installation is obtained (various devices have already been proposed for automatically feeding the fibres).

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described hereinbefore, it must be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited thereto since many modifications and changes may be effected therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In the illustrated embodiment the vibrations are imparted continuously to the cones 1 and 1a so: that the action due to these vibrations continues until the hat body leaves the cone, but this mode of operation is not essential and it my be arranged that the vibrations be imparted to each cone only during a part of the operational cycle, for example before and during, or during and after the spraying operation.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles, depositing fibres in a layer on the surface of a perforated former, imparting to the layer of fibres vibrations having a frequency of at least about 500 cycles per minute and amplitude of at least 0.5 mm.

during the forming operation on the blank on the surface of a perforated support, whereby a hardening operation on the blank is effected.

2. Method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles which comprises the steps of forming said blank by depositing a layer of fibres on the surface of a perforated former, and then simultaneously spraying this layer and subjecting it to a first felting hardening con sisting in imparting to the layer and to the former vibrations having a frequency of at least about 500 cycles per minute and amplitude of at least about 0.5 mm.

3. In a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles, depositing fibers in a layer on the surface of a perforated former subjecting the layer of fibres to high-frequency vibrations of the order of LOGO-3,000 cycles per minute and of amplitude of the order of mm. during the forming operation whereby the layer of fibres is subjected to a hardening operation.

4. In a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles depositing fibers in a layer on the surface of a perforated former, subjecting the layer of fibres to vibrations having a frequency of at least about 500 cycles per minute and amplitude of at least about 0.5 mm. during the forming operation on the blank on the surface of a perforated support, whereby the layer of fibres is subjected to a hardening operation, and continuing said vibrations-during the removal of the blank from said perforated support, whereby to assist the removal of the blank.

5. In an automatic forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a stand, a support disposed on the latter, a rotatable ring disposed on the support, a first motor carried by the support for slowly rotating the ring, a second ring, a yieldable connection between the first ring and the second ring for imparting to the second ring the rotation of the first ring while permitting it to vibrate relative to the first ring, a perforated former fixed on the second ring for receiving a layer of fibres constituting said blank, and means carried by the support for vibrating the second ring and said former.

6. Machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first ring comprises a central hub and said vibrating means comprise: a second electric motor carried by the support, a shaft rotatably mounted in the hub and provided with an eccentric journal disposed exteriorly of the hub, a driving connection between the second motor and the shaft so that the latter is rotated at a higher velocity than the first ring, and several connecting rods pivoted to the second ring and to the eccentric journal for imparting to the second ring and to the perforated former vibrations caused by the throw of the eccentric journal.

7. In an automatic forming machine .for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a stand; a forming vessel comprising two half-shells pivoted on the stand outside the vessel, which is constituted by their reunion; a vertical tubular column fixed to the stand outside the vessel in a position substantially diametrically opposed to the pivot axes of the half-shells; a vertical shaft journalled in the column; a control mechanism connected to the shaft for imparting thereto intermittent pivotal movements; a horizontal sleeve rigidly secured to the shaft above the column; a bevel gear fixed to the upper end of the column below the sleeve; a horizontal shaft journalled in the latter from which it protrudes at each end; two bevel gear pinions fixed on the ends of this horizontal shaft and meshing with said bevel gear; two arms fixed to said ends of the horizontal shaft and extending in substantially opposite directions; a housing fixed cantilever fashion at. the end of each arm; and a perforated former carried by the housing and adapted to receive a layer of fibres, the arms being so adapted and arranged that in the course of the pivotal movements of the vertical shaft the two formers are interchanged one of which assumes an upright forming position inside the vessel and the other is disposed outside the vessel in an inverted position for the purpose of removing the formed blank.

8. Machine as claimed in claim 7, comprising disposed on each housing: a rotatable ring provided with a hub; a first motor carried by the housing for slowly rotating the ring; a second ring on which is fixed the perforated former; a yieldable connection between the second ring and the first ring for imparting to the first ring and to the former the slow rotation of the first ring while permitting it to vibrate relative to the first ring; a second electric motor carried by the housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in the hub of the first ring and provided with an eccentric journal disposed outside the hub; a driving connection between the second motor and the shaft so that the latter is rotated at a velocity higher than that of the first ring; and several connecting rods pivoted to the second ring and to the eccentric journal for imparting to the second ring and to the perforated former vibrations resulting from the throw of the eccentric journal.

9. Machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein means are provided for permanently supplying power to the second electric motor, there being provided a switch controlling the power supply to the first motor, this switch being carried by the stand and being so disposed that the first motor is supplied with power only when the corresponding perforated former is in the forming position in the vessel, whereby the vibrations are permanently imparted to said former whereas it is subjected to a slow rotary. movement only when it is in the vessel.

10. Machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein disposed below the vessel comprising the two half-shells is a'suction fan the discharge pipe of which serves as a support for the housing carrying the perforated former which is in the forming position in the vessel, and a yieldable member carried by this discharge pipe being disposed between the latter and the housing.

11. In an automatic forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles: a stand, a. forming vessel disposed on the latter and formed of two half-shells pivoted to the stand; a fibre feeding device disposed above the vessel and comprising rotatable'rolls; a support for two perforated formers, this support being movably mounted on the stand for alternately disposing in the'vessel in the forming position one and then the other of said formers; a spraying device movable between an operative position in the vessel for spraying the layer'of fibres deposited on the former disposed within the vessel and an inoperative withdrawn position outside the latter; control means controlling the supply of spraying liquid to the spraying device; four electric motors, the first of the latter drivingsaid feed rolls, the second motor opening andclosing the half-shells and moving the spraying device, the third motor controlling the supply of spraying liquid to the latter, and the fourth ensuring the movements of the movable support; start and stop switches for these motors andcams driven by the latter for actuating' the switches in such manner that the motors are supplied with power in succession, each motor ensuring its own stoppage and ensuring the supply of power to the following motor, it being arranged to supply the motor controlling the half-shells with power twice in the course of a cycle under the control of two start switches controlled respectively by the motor driving the feed rolls and by the motor controlling the movements of the support for changing the perforated formers, and the motor controlling the half-shells also controlling through the medium of an auxiliary start switchthe motor supply to the motor driving the feed rolls, this auxiliary switch being connected in parallel with a hand-operated start switch.

12. In an automatic forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, the combination comprising a fibre-feeding device, a perforated former posi tioned to receive fibres from said device, means operatively'connected to said former for moving it between an upright forming position and an inverted blank-removal position, and means operatively connected to said former for imparting thereto high-frequency vibratory movements of small amplitude in both of said positions of said formenwhereby said. vibratory movements effect a first felting of the fibres received. by said former whereas said vibratory movements assist the removal of the blank formed on said former in said blank-removal position of the latter.

13. In a method of manufacturing blanks of'fibres for felt articles, which comprises a blank forming operation on the surface of a support vibrating normally at a frequency of at least 500 cycles per minute and amplitude of at least 0.5 mm., effecting in the course of said forming operation a hardening operation of the blank which 7 consists in imparting high-frequency vibrations of more than twice the frequency of the normal vibrations to said support.

14. In a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles, simultaneously depositing fibres on a support, causing said support to eifect a slow rotational movement and imparting to said support high frequency vibrations of LNG-3,000 cycles per minute and of amplitude of about 1 mm. which vibrations cause said support to vibrate more than it would normally vibrate when it effects said slow rotational movement.

"15.,In a method of manufacturing blanks of fibres for felt articles, which comprises a blank forming operation on the surface of a cone shaped support vibrating normally at a frequency of at least 590 cycles per minute and an amplitude of at least 0.5 mm, effecting in the course of said forming operation a hardening operation on the blank which consists in imparting high-frequency vibrations of more than twice the frequency of the normal vibrations to said cone transversely of the latter which causes the cone shaped support to increase its vibrations during said forming operation.

16. In a forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a former adapted to receive a layer of said fibres, means for slowly rotating the former, and means for imparting to the former high frequency vibrations of small amplitude in the course of the rotation of the former so as to harden the layer of fibrm.

I 17 In a forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a former adapted to receive a layer of said fibres, means for slowly rotating the former and means for imparting to the former highfrequency vibrations of small amplitude transversely of is I the axis of rotation of theformer so as to harden the layer of fibres.

18. In a forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a tapered former on which the blanks are formed, a forming vessel, means for blowing fibres into the forming vessel, an arm swingable about a substantially horizontal axis and on which the former is mounted throughout the operation of the machine, means for swinging the arm about said axis. between. a first position, in which. the former mountedon the arm is located inside the forming vessel and is upwardly convergent and receives said fibres, and a second position in which the former mounted on the arm is T located outside the forming vessel ina substantially inverted downwardly convergent position which facilitates removal of the blank formed thereon.

19. In a forming machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a firsttapered former and a second tapered former on which formers the blanks are formed, a forming vessel, means for blowing fibres into the forming vessel, a first swingable arm and a second swingable arm on which the first and second formers'are respectively mounted throughout the operation of the machine, means for swinging each arm about a:- substantially horizontal axis between a first position inwhich the former mounted thereon is located inside the forming vessel and is upwardly convergent and receives said fibres, and a second position in which the former mounted on the arm is located outside the forming vessel in a substantially inverted downwardly convergent position facilitating removal of the blank formed thereon, and a device controlling said means in such manner that the arms are swung in opposite directions and that thefirst former is located inside the forming vessel when the second former is located outside the forming vessel and vice versa.

20. In a forming'machine for forming blanks of fibres for felt articles, in combination: a first tapered former and .a second tapered former on which formers the blanksare formed, a forming vessel, a first swingable arm and a second swingable arm on which the first and second formers are respectively mounted, means for swinging each arm about a substantially horizontal axis between a first position in which the former mounted thereon is located inside the forming vessel and is upwardly convergent and receives the fibres, and a second position in which the former is located outside the forming vessel in a substantially inverted downwardly convergent position facilitating removal of the blank formed thereon, and a device controlling said meansv in such manner that the arms are swung in opposite directions a and that the first former is located inside the forming vessel when the second former is located outside the forming vessel and vice versa, said position outside the forming vessel of the first former substantially coinciding with the position of the second former outside the forming vessel.

21. In. a forming machine for forming blanks of, fibres for felt articles, in combination: a stand, a first tapered former and a second tapered former on which formers the blanks are formed, a first pivotable arm and a, second pivotable arm pivotably mounted on the stand and on which the first and second formers are respectively mounted throughout the operation of the machine, means for pivoting each armin a substantially vertical plane betweena first position in which the former mounted thereon is at a fibre-receiving station and is upwardly convergent and a second position in which the former mounted on the arm. is at a blank removal station and is substantially inverted and downwardly convergent, and

formers being coincident and said planes in which the arms are pivoted being symmetrically disposed relative to a third plane when the arms are midway between their first and second positions, a forming vessel constisisting of two half-shells which are symmetrically disposed relative to said third plane and are mounted on said stand to be swingable about a substantially vertical axis located on the opposite side of said fibre-receiving station to said pivotal mountings of said arms and disposed substantially in said third plane, the half-shells being swingable between a closed position in which the half-shells surround the former at said fibre-receiving station, and an open position in which the half shells allow the formers to move between said fibre-receiving and blank removal stations.

22. In a machine as claimed in claim 21, comprising means for moving the half-shells between their open and closed positions in cooperation with said means for pivoting said arms and in such manner that the halfshells are opened to allow the formers to move between said stations and are closed when a former has reached said fibre-receiving station.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 18,316 Arnold Oct. 6, 1857 1,704,418 Abbott Mar. 5, 1929 1,771,839- Brecht July 29, 1930 2,172,342 Birdsall Sept. 12, 1939 2,172,343 Birdsall Sept. 12, 1939 2,181,043 Boeddinghaus Nov. 21, 1939 2,207,407 Kane July 9, 1940 2,229,791 Birdsall Jan. 28, 1941 2,322,255 Rickus June 22, 1943 2,463,759 Fitch Mar. 8, 1949 2,508,968 Porrit May 23, 1950 2,725,601 Brenner Dec. 6, 1955 

